Ukraine defence chief to outline war plan as Kyiv seeks more funds

Kyiv's new defence minister, Yevhenii Khmara, plans to present a clear vision and plan to his country's partners regarding how Ukraine intends to fight against Russia. This comes as the government attempts to bring forward part of a European Union loan to address a $27 billion military budget deficit.

Ukraine heavily relies on foreign funds to continue its ongoing war effort, which has now entered its fifth year. The EU has committed €90 billion in financing through 2027. In a recent statement to reporters, Khmara expressed Ukraine's intention to seek earlier disbursement of the €45 billion loan planned for the following year, as well as lobby allies for increased contributions and to attract contributions from countries that have not yet pledged support.

Khmara stated that Ukraine will provide partners with a clear vision and plan, outlining the tasks faced by the Defence Forces, the necessary projects, the expected results, and the timeframes within which these must be achieved. The EU has allocated €45 billion for each of the fiscal years 2026 and 2027, allowing Ukraine to channel record funds toward defence purposes.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy recently revealed that Kyiv had spent more than anticipated during the first half of the year, resulting in rare wartime protests that led to the dismissal of his unpopular military chief. Khmara, a former special-forces commander and leader of Ukraine's deep-strike campaign against Russia, emphasized his commitment to working alongside new top general Mykhailo Drapatyi and being receptive to insights from frontline troops and commanders.

He stressed that it is the soldiers on the ground who possess the best understanding of what needs to change.

Facing a critical shortage of manpower and air defences to counter Russian air attacks on Ukrainian cities, Ukraine has turned to long-range drone strikes on Russian oil infrastructure, defence manufacturing, and logistics. However, Khmara acknowledged that Ukraine still faces significant challenges, including a shortage of manpower and air defences. He also highlighted controversies surrounding abuses and mismanagement in recruitment and on the battlefield.

Regarding Ukraine's capabilities to defend against Russian drones, Khmara announced that the country has tested four potential interceptors to shoot down the jet-powered drones that have increasingly targeted Ukraine. The ultimate goal is to eventually produce thousands of such interceptors. Recently, swarms of high-speed Russian drones plagued Kyiv for four consecutive days, causing damage to homes and warehouses, and disrupting daily life.